In an effort to enhance food security and nutrition planning, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has rolled out a quarterly bulletin series to monitor the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) across Ghana.
The initiative, led by MoFA’s Statistics, Research and Information Directorate, uses market data from 190 locations across all 16 regions to determine how affordable it is for Ghanaians to eat healthily.
The move is in line with the National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, introduced in 2023, and forms part of efforts to improve public health, reduce hunger, and ensure equitable access to essential nutrients.
Vegetables, animal-source foods least affordable
According to a press release issued by MoFA’s Public Relations Unit, initial findings from the bulletin reveal a concerning trend: vegetables and animal-sourced foods remain the least affordable food groups for a majority of Ghanaians.
This signals not only nutritional gaps but also a broader issue of nutrition equity, especially for vulnerable populations.
The analysis shows that while many staple items remain within reach, the components required to meet full dietary recommendations — such as proteins, vitamins, and micronutrients — are out of reach for many households.
Regional and monthly cost differences observed
The bulletin also highlights monthly and regional variations in the cost of achieving a healthy diet.
In some regions, certain foods were consistently more expensive, while in others, local alternatives helped reduce diet costs.
The analysis identified least-cost food items that meet dietary needs and offers guidance on balancing nutrition within tight budgets.
MoFA believes that making this information available will enable policymakers to respond with region-specific interventions and target social safety nets more effectively.
Healthy diet must be a right, not a privilege
Reiterating the Ministry’s position on food accessibility, the statement stressed that access to a healthy diet must not be a privilege for a few, but a right for every Ghanaian.
“A healthy diet should not depend on your income bracket or where you live. It is a basic human right,” the statement noted.
The bulletin is expected to serve as a decision-making tool for not only government agencies but also civil society organisations, non-governmental partners, and development institutions working in nutrition, health, and agriculture.
CoHD forms part of global food security monitoring
The CoHD indicator was developed after consultations held in Accra in 2016, and is now included in global food security monitoring conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.
It also contributes to a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator focused on dietary diversity.
By integrating this system into its broader food security and nutrition surveillance framework, MoFA aims to shape policies, guide public investments, and ensure that the nutritional needs of the population are not sacrificed in times of inflation or economic shocks.
Bulletins now publicly available
The Ministry confirmed that the CoHD bulletins are available on its official website, making the information accessible to researchers, planners, and the general public.
It is expected to become a central resource in Ghana’s national nutrition planning and programming, influencing everything from school feeding programmes to agricultural subsidies.
